Dumb.

Guys who say stuff like "nice guys finish last" and "girls only go out with assholes, nice guys never get a break" are NOT nice guys, just thought I'd put that out there.

Enlisted

He was nervous. The recruiter was standing directly in front of me and he was right behind, the wait for my computer to snap into action was agonizing as they were both staring at every little move I made. His movements were jerky and he kept asking silly questions. I'd never seen him nervous before. I couldn't even look at him. I wanted to send my heart with him; I was glad that earlier in the day I had slipped a note into his overnight bag like Mom and Dad used to do when they'd go away on vacation without us. "Be strong and kick ass. You are a warrior!"

The transcript finally printed and the pregnant silence turned into footsteps on tile as they walked out together. It's funny how you can grow to love people and not even realize it. I thought about August and how it's so far away but how it'll be here in an instant. I tried to stop my brain from thinking about where he'll be after the 18 weeks is over, but I couldn't stave it off. Marines go to Iraq. Will you be safe? His family is like ours; Irish, tight, full of love. I can't even imagine...

I only hope that it's not a decision born from desperation. May the gods watch over my loved ones with a ready sword!

Only Time

We are two halves of a circle that began centuries ago.

The dark night cuts sharp the view from my treadmill when I run in the evening and instead of scurrying college students I see her gaze reflected back in the glass. Fierce. The arms move and look like chiseled granite but it's her intensity that I see, the strength that dares you to put a limitation onto it.

You are more of an inspiration than you'll ever know.